Is something like Plex an option? Get a hard drive, set up a request system (Ombi), then a little app on their phone can take requests and download the shows they feel like they’re missing.
Done right it’s a one time set up, and an up front payment but over the course of a year I feel like you’re saving the cost of either DirectTV or the streaming services.
Also, you can tell them that DirecTV simply licenses shows the way streaming services do which is why they won’t lose any content.
DirecTV also may something they prefer simply for what they’re used to. At 7pm the same show comes on every day. If that’s a part of it, my previous suggestion of a server for media is able to put together TV channels using something like DizqueTV. I understand that it’s a bit of effort, though.
It’s more about the scripts being given a passover of approval from the CCP. Want your movie in China? Usually, there’s some adaptation for the region, no big deal. However, I remember articles coming out about how the movie adaptation may not be accepted if the U.S. version doesn’t fit the standard, meaning the U.S. version would have changes made at the suggestion of the CCP.
Sorry for the NYT link, but it has some examples